Our 100-day-old’s First Meal
Today, Baby is 100 days old! We had the Okuizome (お食い初め / “First Meal”) for him. Okuizome is a Japanese tradition that parents carry out on the 100th day after the birth of their child. (Some regions had theirs on the 120th day). By performing the ritual, they hope their child will always have good food in abundance and will never go hungry for the rest of his or her life.
My mother-in-law (MIL) single-handedly prepared a sumptuous meal for the little guy. She was so excited to celebrate her first grandson’s weaning ceremony that she bought a beautiful Okuizome dining set specially meant for baby boys.
A close-up picture of the Okuizome set with an illustration of Kabuto (helmet).
As usual, designs vary between baby boys and girls.
On the menu (which may differ slightly between regions):
Sekihan (赤飯 / red rice) – red beans with “sticky” rice (commonly used to make mochi).
A popular dish for auspicious occasions.
Sumashi-Jiru (すまし汁 / Clear Soup) or Sui-mono (吸い物 / Japanese-style soup)
Tai (鯛 / Sea Bream) – shares the same homonym with Mede-TAI (Happy, Joyous, Auspicious).
It is also a symbol of wealth and prosperity, served with the head and tail intact.
Ishi (石 / Stone). Yes, you’re reading it right.
“Biting” a smooth pebble is an act to ensure the growth of strong, healthy teeth.
An interesting note: Osaka uses Tako (octopus), while some region uses Ume-boshi (梅干 / dried plum);
Red-White Mochi (Japanese rice cake) or Kachiguri (勝栗 / dried chestnut).
Nimono (煮物 / Food cooked by boiling or stewing)
Kono-mono (香の物 / Pickled vegetables)
Though these delicious foods were prepared specially for him, Baby DID NOT consume any. Instead, Grandpa and Daddy played the important roles of pretending to feed Baby during the ceremony. And yes, Baby started wailing and demanding his very important MILK MILK immediately after the ceremony.
I wonder what I should do with the stone. Hmm, rock painting? Any creative suggestions? ^_^?
Great information, thank you. I am going to Japan attend my grandson’s okuizome in a couple of weeks.
This is wonderful, Anne. Have an awesome family gathering in Japan.
I’m interested in the Okuizome dining set that you received feom your MIL. Where can I purchase this? I have 3 uncles living in Japan, one in Hiroshima, Yokohama, and Hachioji Tokyo. Do you know any stores out there? Or better yet, is there a website I can order this from?
Dearest Tracy,
My MIL got the set from Isetan. Maybe it will be easier for you to get it from Rakuten:
http://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/お食い初め食器/-/?scid=s_kwa_2014comb_00&lsid=099692
Anyway, I thought I include the Rakuten global market for you too (lesser choices though):
http://global.rakuten.com/en/search/?h=3&k=お食い初め食器&st=
You may want to check out Amazon Japan too:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?__mk_ja_JP=カタカナ&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=お食い初め食器
In my own opinion, the Okuizome set is really expensive.
So, I do highly recommend that you visit the babies section of OFF-HOUSE, a second-hand shop. Sometime, you may get a set for half the price or even lesser.
You can search for their stores here:
http://www.hardoff.co.jp/ichiran.php
Hope this help. ^_^
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been using this as a guide to help me plan for my son’s upcoming 100 days celebrations!
You are most welcome! May your son have a wonderful and blessed celebration!
so how does a 100 day infant eat octopus?
Though these delicious food were prepared specially for him, Baby DID NOT consumed any. Instead, Grandpa and Daddy played the important roles of pretending to feed Baby during the ceremony.
Is there a traditional gift for this occasion? We are going to one on Sunday and are not familiar w/ the custom.
Dearest Heidi,
Congrats to the baby whose ceremony that you attending. May it be a really meaningful and special one! ^_^Y
As for your question about gifts… I’m sorry if I’m equally clueless. This is because in our case (in fact, most Japanese families), we celebrated our boy’s Okuizome in a private manner. We did not invite our relatives. It was a quiet celebration with just his grandparents, my husband, me and of course, the main star. So there was’t any gift, but only good food for everyone.
I suppose it’s best to ask the family directly. Because even within Japan itself, different region may varies their celebration style. Other than well wishes, relatives either give presents or (more commonly) small gifts of money.
Hi, very interesting post and celebration!
I just found it looking for some suggestions for a japanese friend who is going to attend this ceremony but forgot how it was for him when he was a baby…. funny.
Anyway, thank you for the great description!
Thanks for dropping by, Redpoz. Your friend will have amazing “elephant” memory if he can remember his own 100th-day celebration (giggle). Congrats to the baby whose ceremony that your friend’s attending. May it be a really meaningful and special one! ^_^Y
My brother and his wife recently celebrated their daughter’s 100-day celebration. They sent photos for us to forward around to family here in Canada. Unfortunately we didn’t know about this, and her family was a little insulted by the lack of a response.
Is there anything we culturally ignorant can do after-the-fact to help repair this, and are their any resources we can use to learn about other significant milestone that may be coming in the future?
Thanks!
Dearest Crakkerz,
For my family (in fact, most Japanese families), we celebrated our boy’s Okuizome in a private manner. In our case, we did not invite our relatives. It was a quiet celebration with just his grandparents, my husband, me and of course, the main star. Frankly, I’m puzzled as to the reaction of your brother’s wife & her family. Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding. If it is not too late (and if you have not done so), do give them a call, wish the little angel “Omedeto gozaimasu” (meaning congratulation). Thank them for sharing snapshots of the meaningful baby milestone (which is a big hint that you & your family in Canada hold great importance to them). Then, check with your brother if there is any present you can get for his little princess. Hopefully, that will clear the air (or sky) 😛
The next big event would be your niece’s Hatsu Tanjo (初誕生 / First Birthday). You can read more here: http://blackcabbit.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/first-birthday/
However, do bear in mind that even within Japan itself, different region may varies their celebration style. Other than well wishes, relatives either give birthday presents or (more commonly) small gifts of money. It is best to directly ask your brother and your sister-in-law. That will show them that you are sincere in wanting to learn more about the culture. Also, check with them what gifts should you get for your niece (whether they prefer gift of money).
Oh, another event is known as the Shichi-go-san:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichi-Go-San
Hmm, I really hopes all will turn out well. May your family in both Canada and Japan be blessed with happiness and close family bond. God Bless!
My Daughter in law pointed us to your site to explain the 100 day ceremony that she and my son held for baby Erika. I understand it better now. You explained it very clearly. Maybe the stones are like teething rings that babies in Western countries have. Once babies were given ivory teething rings or sticks so that as they gnawed on them them would not get splinters as would happen if they had wood, or bone or glass.
From a proud new grandma
Nadine, thanks for dropping by. So wonderful to know that your granddaughter had the same ceremony. Oh, the western teething ring is interesting and a great idea. The stone used here is just for show, so Baby did not gnaw at it. My husband held it by the chopstick and touched Baby’s mouth and then it was over. We then immediately removed it from his sight before he decided to play with it 😛
Have the date of his birth engraved on one and the date of the 100 day ceremony engraved on the other. Then give them to him when he is older, at an age when he will appreciate them.
Wow, that’s a splendid idea! Thank you so much! ^_^b
I am not sure what can you do with those 2 love “rocks”, but I can help eating all that delicious food. ^^
Gee Thanks :O